A: The ability to shift between varied patterns of exformation. For example linear versus nonlinear sequencing, or how/when the conclusion of a given piece occurs (e.g. whether a viewer "concludes" the work relatively quickly as a singular unit of meaning--like a poster; or whether the conclusion occurs over time slowly building up to a conceptual crescendo at the end of the piece; or whether the conclusion has no clear place in the structure of the piece but takes place as an afterthought...) Also the multimedia aspect of the work--new expressive junctures between words images sounds and movement: choreography of meaning?

Introducing the metaphor of the spleen as an implication as well as definition of the human context, all the work presented within the site aspires to serve a life-preserving purpose, analogous to the function of blood accumulated and stored in this mysterious organ. The scientific vagueness surrounding the spleen multiplies and enhances possible symbolic interpretations of the name, as well as visual and structural characteristics of the site.

The viewer's ability to enter and exit The Spleen via the Inward and Outward Vessels, to participate in the possible cleansing process, and the difficulty in defining the indispensability of the organ, point at the always questionable status of artwork in life: its significance unclear, its functioning elusive, its necessity for the well being of the organism in doubt. Especially since the spleen, regardless of its "blood reservoir" function, remains an organ we can live without quite comfortably.

All the medical facts concerning the spleen as part of the human body-in addition to the linguistic definition describing violent feelings of anger, extreme lowness of spirit, the seat of emotions and passions, the source of laughter or bad temper-reflect upon a unique character of the presented work. The artistic propositions offered by The Spleen explore the subtle balance between the emotional/conceptual content and its perceptible reflections, contemplating the need for the tangible artwork. The emergence of the Internet and World Wide Web made it possible to construct rich expressive and engaging artwork, and communicate complex concepts outside of the formal limitations of the media, and also outside of the organized art world. All the work presented within The Spleen, having no volume, exists exclusively as an electronic message transmitted through the computer networks. The experience of all the work is continually available, thus successfully redefining the traditional status of artwork as a commodity with limited and controlled access. The uniqueness of this new medium, therefore, reaffirms one of the most important guideposts of The Spleen, that the art, indeed, does belong to The People.

The organic nature of The Spleen and the Internet in general, implies an ongoing activity and growth. Accordingly, the content of the site remains fluid: expanding upon the previously created work as well as continually introducing new artistic propositions.

The variety of pieces available from the Inward Vessels attempt to provoke a reflection on the complexity of our existence at the end of the 20th century as part of the global community, a society, a family, and finally within ourselves. Each piece capitalizes on a specific set of problems and proposes a creative stimuli for further contemplation. Whether based on personal experience or scientific or socio-political research, all the pieces strive to achieve a level of cross-cultural universality.

Got to The Spleen.

His work "The Spleen" has been featured in numerous publications, including Wired, Hotwired, I.D., The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Applied Arts, Public Art Review, Details, Speak, Blvd., WEB, Minnesota Monthly, City Pages, Star Tribune, and Pioneer Press.

At MCAD, Szyhalski mentors graduate students and teaches graphic design, illustration, Fine Arts, and Liberal Arts, including his popular "POLIT-PROP: Art for the Broad Masses of the People," through which students study the historical and contemporary concepts of propoganda art.